The opinions of teachers and parents about the inclusion of DKAB courses in basic education (Primary school) curriculum (Ankara Yenimahalle example)

This research examines the opinions of teachers and parents about including Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge (REKAB) courses in basic education (primary school) curriculum, in the example of Ankara Yenimahalle. In our country, DKAB course is taught only in the 4th grade at the primary school level of basic education; it is not included in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. In the examples where religion courses are taught as compulsory or elective in the world, there are some applications in which the course is included to cover all classes at the primary school level. Therefore, it is considered important to determine the opinions of parents and teachers about teaching the DKAB course in primary school 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades in our country. In this study, it is aimed to provide a framework about whether religious education/training is needed, based on the opinions of the parents and teachers, who are the direct interlocutors of the subject, about the interests and needs of the children in this stage, regarding the teaching of the DKAB course in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades of primary school, covering the last childhood phase in our country, In our study, which is a qualitative research, the theoretical aspect of the subject has been revealed by literature review. Within the scope of the planned field research in the study, in the context of taking into account also the different socio-economic status of the subject, 3 (three) primary schools located in different regions in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara province have been determined as a sample by a purposeful sampling method. An interview form which is consisting of open-ended questions has been prepared to collect data in the field. The research data have been collected through the semi-structured interview technique of the form in question, which was conducted with 51 (fifty-one) participants, consisting of parents of students in different classes, classroom teachers teaching in different classes, and DKAB course teachers. In the study, the identity of the participants was kept secret and their opinions were given using pseudonyms determined by coding. The findings obtained in the research were interpreted by descriptive analysis. Research data reveal that the vast majority of students ask both their parents and teachers questions about the existence and how of Allah the most, along with different religious topics. It is observed that there are some shortcomings in the correct answer of these questions, especially by the parents. Considering that the mistakes made by children are difficult to correct in the following years, it is understood that it would be appropriate to provide religious education / training in primary school 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades under the supervision and control of the state within the scope of formal education.